Female Kestrel in action (c)

Taken today during a staff training session. This is a female Kestrel called Ms Man, don't ask.

For me, it's nice to be able to take a back seat & see our new team doing so well with the birds.

Thanks for looking

D2X
200mm F2 VR
ISO 100
F2.8
1/1000th sec
Handheld

(c) in title for captive bred

Very nice Vince,good to see a top view for a change.

Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk

Hi Vince

Captive or not still a very nice flight shot!

David

Great shot Vincent but just imagine gretting this shot in the wild.!!
Puts the whole concept of "nature Photography " in a vague area in my mind
Confuses me a graet deal about the reaction of people in general to "wildlife pics"
Lets face it - they don't all know what F8 means,
Its a bit like "wildlife tours"
Anyway- nuff said.
JohnR

Thanks for the comments including yours Johns

Stop getting confused John, photography is there to be enjoyed as you know & an image can speak volumes when working with both origins. Both have a purpose in nature photography whether we like it or not. (c) means captive bred.

F8, I have never reached F8 even in the field lol. Scary

On the wild issue, this bird is in my eyes still a bit wild. Lets call it conditioned because of the laws regarding captive bred birds & plus its body weight is controlled by an easy meal & life. Take away these controls then it would leave & be wild & thats it basically, whether the bird survives is a different matter.

Now I can ask another question, is it wild bred or captive bred? This issue of wild, for me is meaningless because I work on both sides of the fence & both are mostly controlled by what we do as humans (Captive or wild) Yes there is an arguement on certain issues & how a shot is obtained & the field craft that is involved. There is still a bit of skill & craft or luck needed when shooting a captive bred bird.

Still good practice especially when its time to hit the trigger when trying to capture a wild bird, take a look at the male wild Kestrel image I posted. Practicing with controlled birds can pay off. Because of the luck of that shot & the work I do, it could be classed as a captive bred shot, couldn't it lol.

Kind regards from an active conservationists, a part time would like to be a real photographer & a realistic bird keeper that allows the birds he cares for to act as normal as they can.

Vincent
As I said - still a great shot.
Too complicated to explain my feelings at this time of night !!

Cheers
JohnR

Time for sleep too, all the best

it's a lovely shot captive or otherwise.

Matt

Nice, i like the blurred wingtips Vince, i'm not sure about the feather below the beak/head though. Btw how is the Eagle owl issue going?

Very nice Vince, Wild or Captive, it is a great photograph.

Well caught.

Austin

Works for me, great shot.

Hi Vince,

A cracking shot of a cracking falcon, whatever it's origin you have captured it beautifully.

Regards

Rob

PS How's the Eagle Owl escapades going??

Hi Folks

Thanks for the comments, much appreciated

The Eagle Owl is a bit hit & miss at the moment, he appears & then vanishes for days. He seems to have a few other places he visits. I think he thinks he is a bit of tourist & likes Rugby

Locations where sightings have been made, all on a straight route covering 3 miles

Gloucester Docks (Evenings)
Alney Island (Day time)
Gordon League Rugby Club (Day & Night)
Hempsted Meadows Market (Night time)
& the Barn Owl Centre. (Day & night)
I think he travels to us to say to our Eagle Owls, maybe he gets a bit lonely

Beautifully caught Vincent, like the diagonal composition too